2016: The best high-end tablets for business users

Microsoft Surface Book

Microsoft wants mobile devices which replace the traditional PC -- and the firm's latest offerings have appeal for business users.

The company's Surface Book, a rival to Apple's MacBook Pro, is a 13.5-inch hybrid PC which can also be detached for use as a standalone tablet -- increasing flexibility for business users on the road.

The hybrid also sports a 3,000-by-2,000-pixel resolution (267ppi) screen, Nvidia GeForce GPU, dual-core 6th-generation Core i5 and Core i7 processors, 16GB RAM and up to 512GB flash storage. Overall, this is a premium product for corporate users who don't want to skimp on power or flexibility.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Another offering from the Redmond giant is the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, the latest variation in the hybrid tablet line. The 12.3-inch hybrid is larger than its predecessor, but still contains all the ports required for business users to make use of their old accessories and keyboards.

The device also has a major advantage: users now have the option to install up to 16GB RAM with extra storage options leading up to 1TB.

iPad Pro

If you're a business user who prefers Apple's OS X and iOS ecosystems, the recently announced 9.7-inch iPad Pro could be your next tablet.

Apple's latest 9.7-inch flagship device sports a 64-bit A9X processor and a 12-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K video -- which might make the tablet appeal to creative types, especially as the firm is also offering a range of accessories including a stylus and keyboard.

The tablet is available with 32GB to 256GB storage.

The company also touts its display as "true tone," claiming the revamped Retina display is 40 percent less reflective, 25 percent brighter and will have 25 percent greater color saturation than the iPad Air 2.

HP Elite X2 1011

The HP Elite X2 1011 is a sleek high-performance tablet designed with the corporate user in mind.

The Windows 8.1 tablet, which comes equipped with an integrated smart card reader and fingerprint sensor, also boasts the kind of specifications you now come to expect with premium products -- such as Intel Core M processors, up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. In addition, the tablet comes with either an 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080 HD BrightView IPS display and 5-megapixel camera.

If you're a business user on the move, the rugged chassis -- which prevented damage through HP's drop, dust and shock tests -- is also likely to appeal.

Google Pixel C

Google's Pixel C, running on Android Marshmallow 6.0, is a lightweight tablet for both business users and consumers alike who want to stick with the Android operating system.

The 10.2-inch mid-range tablet boasts a 256-core Maxwell GPU, up to 64GB storage, Nvidia Tegra XI 64-bit processor and 3GB RAM, which is more than enough for general use on the road. The tablet is also convertible if you prefer to use a keyboard in addition to the touchscreen display.

Asus ZenPad S 8.0

The 8-inch Asus ZenPad S 8.0 is a budget-friendly option for business users who prefer simple style coupled with the Android operating system. The tablet sports a 2K display, 8-megapixel camera and is powered by a 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580 processor with up to 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.

The tablet is by no means the most powerful option on the market, but if you need a portable device suitable for checking your email and completing basic business tasks on the road, this could be for you.

Sony Xperia Z4

If a powerful display for watching media, presentations or more creative uses is paramount, the Sony Xperia Z4 could be a strong contender for business users.

The 10.1-inch tablet sports a 2560x1600 pixel, 2K display with Live Color LED technology to show media and photos at their best. In addition, the tablet has specs which will satisfy many business users, including a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and octa-core CPU, 3GB RAM, up to 32GB storage and an 8.1 megapixel camera.

Huawei MateBook

Chinese PC maker Huawei is also looking towards the enterprise market, having recently launched the slimline MateBook as a mid-range tablet hybrid.

The MateBook is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, being only 6.9mm in thickness and just over 600 grams, and comes with decent specifications to satisfy the average business user. The device, best suited for those on the go, is also equipped with up to 8GB RAM and 512GB flash storage, an Intel Core m7 dual-core processor and a fingerprint sensor to help keep your corporate documents physically secure.